This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/14/briefing/iran-swine-flu-gen-x.html
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Iran, Swine Fever, Gen X: Your Wednesday Briefing | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| (Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.) | |
| Good morning, | Good morning, |
| We’re covering escalating tensions with Iran, the spread of swine fever across Asia and life in 1994. | We’re covering escalating tensions with Iran, the spread of swine fever across Asia and life in 1994. |
| Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels attacked a Saudi oil facility on Tuesday, a day after Saudi Arabia said two of its oil tankers had been sabotaged. | Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels attacked a Saudi oil facility on Tuesday, a day after Saudi Arabia said two of its oil tankers had been sabotaged. |
| It was unclear whether the attacks were related to increasing tensions between Iran and the U.S. and its allies in the Persian Gulf, and there was little hard information about the tanker damage. | It was unclear whether the attacks were related to increasing tensions between Iran and the U.S. and its allies in the Persian Gulf, and there was little hard information about the tanker damage. |
| But suspicions centered on Iran after the Trump administration’s warning of planned aggression by Iran. | But suspicions centered on Iran after the Trump administration’s warning of planned aggression by Iran. |
| Iran’s response: The country suggested that the tanker attacks were a provocation to escalate tensions, seeking to portray the Trump administration as eager to push the two countries into conflict. | Iran’s response: The country suggested that the tanker attacks were a provocation to escalate tensions, seeking to portray the Trump administration as eager to push the two countries into conflict. |
| U.S. action: The Trump administration has already deployed an aircraft carrier and bombers to the region as a precaution. | U.S. action: The Trump administration has already deployed an aircraft carrier and bombers to the region as a precaution. |
| Defense officials also updated a military strategy that envisions sending as many as 120,000 troops to the Middle East should Iran attack American forces or accelerate work on nuclear weapons. | Defense officials also updated a military strategy that envisions sending as many as 120,000 troops to the Middle East should Iran attack American forces or accelerate work on nuclear weapons. |
| But on Tuesday, President Trump said there were no plans to deploy more troops, and during a visit to Russia, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, “We fundamentally do not seek a war with Iran.” | But on Tuesday, President Trump said there were no plans to deploy more troops, and during a visit to Russia, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, “We fundamentally do not seek a war with Iran.” |
| Two weeks ago, a trade deal seemed plausible. Now, it seems out of reach, as Beijing and Washington impose tit-for-tat tariffs and dig into positions in ways that will be hard to resolve. | Two weeks ago, a trade deal seemed plausible. Now, it seems out of reach, as Beijing and Washington impose tit-for-tat tariffs and dig into positions in ways that will be hard to resolve. |
| President Trump seems unlikely to yield because he appears to view tension with China as good for him politically. And China has signaled that concessions the U.S. is demanding would require drastic changes to its core strategy. | President Trump seems unlikely to yield because he appears to view tension with China as good for him politically. And China has signaled that concessions the U.S. is demanding would require drastic changes to its core strategy. |
| Business impact: American farmers are seeing reduced Chinese demand for soybeans. And China’s manufacturing sector, already cooling, is likely to suffer further if tariffs reduce U.S. demand for its products. | Business impact: American farmers are seeing reduced Chinese demand for soybeans. And China’s manufacturing sector, already cooling, is likely to suffer further if tariffs reduce U.S. demand for its products. |
| China’s loss: Connections with the U.S. gave China investments, market access and opportunity. If the country decouples from America, many entrepreneurs and intellectuals wonder if China can continue to prosper. | China’s loss: Connections with the U.S. gave China investments, market access and opportunity. If the country decouples from America, many entrepreneurs and intellectuals wonder if China can continue to prosper. |
| “The doves in China say both sides benefit from the relationship more than they admit,” writes our New New World columnist, Li Yuan. | “The doves in China say both sides benefit from the relationship more than they admit,” writes our New New World columnist, Li Yuan. |
| In the weeks after the Lion Air crash that killed 189 people in Indonesia, American Airlines pilots pressed the aircraft manufacturer to fix flaws in the 737 Max jet that could have led to a grounding of the planes. But Boeing pushed back. | In the weeks after the Lion Air crash that killed 189 people in Indonesia, American Airlines pilots pressed the aircraft manufacturer to fix flaws in the 737 Max jet that could have led to a grounding of the planes. But Boeing pushed back. |
| Four months later, a 737 Max crashed in Ethiopia, killing 157. A flawed anti-stall system played a role in both disasters. | Four months later, a 737 Max crashed in Ethiopia, killing 157. A flawed anti-stall system played a role in both disasters. |
| How we know: The pushback was documented in an audio recording reviewed by The Times. | How we know: The pushback was documented in an audio recording reviewed by The Times. |
| Reminder: Boeing is under intense scrutiny for the design and certification of the Max jet. There are multiple investigations into the development of the Max, and the Federal Aviation Administration is also under fire for its role in approving the plane. | Reminder: Boeing is under intense scrutiny for the design and certification of the Max jet. There are multiple investigations into the development of the Max, and the Federal Aviation Administration is also under fire for its role in approving the plane. |
| What’s next: On Wednesday, lawmakers will grill federal regulators about how the Max was certified in a congressional hearing. | What’s next: On Wednesday, lawmakers will grill federal regulators about how the Max was certified in a congressional hearing. |
| Since he came to power five years ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India has streamlined regulations, cut through the country’s dizzying bureaucracy and tried to tackle tax evasion. | Since he came to power five years ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India has streamlined regulations, cut through the country’s dizzying bureaucracy and tried to tackle tax evasion. |
| But making it easier to do business in India hasn’t translated into broad growth or spurred much foreign investment. | But making it easier to do business in India hasn’t translated into broad growth or spurred much foreign investment. |
| As national elections near the finish line, Mr. Modi is trying to convince voters that they should stay the course for his reforms to take effect. | As national elections near the finish line, Mr. Modi is trying to convince voters that they should stay the course for his reforms to take effect. |
| Criticism: His main opponent, Rahul Gandhi, contends that the prime minister has disrupted a functioning economy and caused job losses. | Criticism: His main opponent, Rahul Gandhi, contends that the prime minister has disrupted a functioning economy and caused job losses. |
| Others argue that Mr. Modi’s gains are coming at a high cost, as sectarian violence has increased and his Bharatiya Janata Party has been fanning us-versus-them campaign rhetoric. | Others argue that Mr. Modi’s gains are coming at a high cost, as sectarian violence has increased and his Bharatiya Janata Party has been fanning us-versus-them campaign rhetoric. |
| The oldest Gen X-ers are now 54 and the youngest are preparing to turn 40. It might be difficult to make sense of that fact, so we took a trip down memory lane, revisiting the Walkman and the pager, the United Colors of Benetton and the chokers, Naomi Campbell and Keanu Reeves. | The oldest Gen X-ers are now 54 and the youngest are preparing to turn 40. It might be difficult to make sense of that fact, so we took a trip down memory lane, revisiting the Walkman and the pager, the United Colors of Benetton and the chokers, Naomi Campbell and Keanu Reeves. |
| Our correspondent Caity Weaver also took a journey back in time, living for a week as if it were 1994, relinquishing access to Google maps, email, Netflix and certain subway train routes that weren’t functioning then. | Our correspondent Caity Weaver also took a journey back in time, living for a week as if it were 1994, relinquishing access to Google maps, email, Netflix and certain subway train routes that weren’t functioning then. |
| Google vs. Amazon: Google unveiled a series of products to help it become an e-commerce destination, bringing it into Amazon’s wheelhouse just as the shopping giant is also expanding into Google’s turf with digital advertising. | Google vs. Amazon: Google unveiled a series of products to help it become an e-commerce destination, bringing it into Amazon’s wheelhouse just as the shopping giant is also expanding into Google’s turf with digital advertising. |
| WhatsApp: The popular messaging app released an update to patch a security hole that was said to have been used by an Israeli firm to break into the phone communications of human rights lawyers and journalists. Digital attackers could use the vulnerability to steal data from phones simply by placing a WhatsApp call, even if the victim did not pick up the call. | WhatsApp: The popular messaging app released an update to patch a security hole that was said to have been used by an Israeli firm to break into the phone communications of human rights lawyers and journalists. Digital attackers could use the vulnerability to steal data from phones simply by placing a WhatsApp call, even if the victim did not pick up the call. |
| Swine fever: The first case of the contagious virus that affects pigs, not humans, was reported in Hong Kong last week, prompting the government to kill and dispose of 6,000 pigs, a heavy handed move that mirrors how different countries in the region are responding to the current outbreak. So far, China, the world’s largest pork producer and consumer, has culled more than a million pigs. | Swine fever: The first case of the contagious virus that affects pigs, not humans, was reported in Hong Kong last week, prompting the government to kill and dispose of 6,000 pigs, a heavy handed move that mirrors how different countries in the region are responding to the current outbreak. So far, China, the world’s largest pork producer and consumer, has culled more than a million pigs. |
| North Korea: The country demanded the release of a cargo ship impounded by the U.S., calling the seizure a “flagrant act of robbery” and a “gangster-like act.” American prosecutors said the ship was exporting coal and importing heavy machinery in violation of international sanctions. | North Korea: The country demanded the release of a cargo ship impounded by the U.S., calling the seizure a “flagrant act of robbery” and a “gangster-like act.” American prosecutors said the ship was exporting coal and importing heavy machinery in violation of international sanctions. |
| Philippines: Allies of President Rodrigo Duterte swept the Senate elections, according to unofficial results, strengthening his grip over a legislative chamber that had remained an independent check on his authoritarian rule. | Philippines: Allies of President Rodrigo Duterte swept the Senate elections, according to unofficial results, strengthening his grip over a legislative chamber that had remained an independent check on his authoritarian rule. |
| Nissan: The Japanese carmaker warned of a 28 percent drop in operating profit for the year ending in March 2020. The negative outlook comes as it is still trying to shore up its management team after the arrest of the former chairman Carlos Ghosn. | Nissan: The Japanese carmaker warned of a 28 percent drop in operating profit for the year ending in March 2020. The negative outlook comes as it is still trying to shore up its management team after the arrest of the former chairman Carlos Ghosn. |
| Amnesty International: The human rights organization, which has been critical of Beijing, was denied a lease in a Manhattan office building owned by a state-owned Chinese shipping company, Cosco. | Amnesty International: The human rights organization, which has been critical of Beijing, was denied a lease in a Manhattan office building owned by a state-owned Chinese shipping company, Cosco. |
| Snapshot: Above, a boat in the dry bed that was once Bolivia’s second-largest lake. For four years, The Times photographer Josh Haner has been documenting the impact of climate change around the world, most recently going underwater to get the right shot. | Snapshot: Above, a boat in the dry bed that was once Bolivia’s second-largest lake. For four years, The Times photographer Josh Haner has been documenting the impact of climate change around the world, most recently going underwater to get the right shot. |
| What we’re reading: This essay in The Atlantic. Steven Erlanger, our chief diplomatic correspondent in Europe, recommends its argument that the changing demographics of America helps explain the increasing divide between Democrats and Republicans. | What we’re reading: This essay in The Atlantic. Steven Erlanger, our chief diplomatic correspondent in Europe, recommends its argument that the changing demographics of America helps explain the increasing divide between Democrats and Republicans. |
| Cook: Namoura, a sweet semolina cake, is a perfect sweet to serve with iftar dinner. | Cook: Namoura, a sweet semolina cake, is a perfect sweet to serve with iftar dinner. |
| Listen: Vampire Weekend has returned, spurring questions about how the band was received in the past and where it stands in the current climate. Our critics discuss on the new Popcast. | Listen: Vampire Weekend has returned, spurring questions about how the band was received in the past and where it stands in the current climate. Our critics discuss on the new Popcast. |
| Watch: The director Joe Berlinger annotates a scene from “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile,” his biopic about the serial killer Ted Bundy, starring Zac Efron. | Watch: The director Joe Berlinger annotates a scene from “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile,” his biopic about the serial killer Ted Bundy, starring Zac Efron. |
| Read: “Ghosts of Gold Mountain” recovers the forgotten history of Chinese immigrants in the U.S. who helped construct its railroads. | Read: “Ghosts of Gold Mountain” recovers the forgotten history of Chinese immigrants in the U.S. who helped construct its railroads. |
| Smarter Living: We all have moments from our past that gnaw at us — a regret, an unanswered question, a poor choice we’ve made, hurt feelings. Sometimes revisiting that moment and confronting it head on can make things right. It’s never too late to say the thing you’ve been meaning to say. And if you reach out to someone and don’t hear back immediately, don’t assume the worst. | Smarter Living: We all have moments from our past that gnaw at us — a regret, an unanswered question, a poor choice we’ve made, hurt feelings. Sometimes revisiting that moment and confronting it head on can make things right. It’s never too late to say the thing you’ve been meaning to say. And if you reach out to someone and don’t hear back immediately, don’t assume the worst. |
| And to reduce stress while traveling, it might be best to plan less. | And to reduce stress while traveling, it might be best to plan less. |
| By this time in 1967, 13 days had passed since the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup — a victory that remains the team’s last National Hockey League champions’ title. Three years earlier, the Leafs took home the trophy in April. | By this time in 1967, 13 days had passed since the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup — a victory that remains the team’s last National Hockey League champions’ title. Three years earlier, the Leafs took home the trophy in April. |
| This year, the champions won’t be known until well into June. | This year, the champions won’t be known until well into June. |
| Several factors keep the N.H.L.’s stars on ice when many sports fans’ thoughts have turned to golf greens. But, like the extended season (it’s gone from 60 regular-season games just after World War II to 82 now), the protracted playoffs mean more ticket and concession sales for teams and more advertising sales for broadcasters. | Several factors keep the N.H.L.’s stars on ice when many sports fans’ thoughts have turned to golf greens. But, like the extended season (it’s gone from 60 regular-season games just after World War II to 82 now), the protracted playoffs mean more ticket and concession sales for teams and more advertising sales for broadcasters. |
| But the playoff economics don’t always work out. After agreeing to pay $5 billion for the N.H.L. rights in Canada — twice what the U.S. market costs NBC — the broadcaster Rogers Communications has been hit by disappointing ratings when, as is the case again this year, the Canadian teams are all out golfing. | But the playoff economics don’t always work out. After agreeing to pay $5 billion for the N.H.L. rights in Canada — twice what the U.S. market costs NBC — the broadcaster Rogers Communications has been hit by disappointing ratings when, as is the case again this year, the Canadian teams are all out golfing. |
| That’s it for this briefing. See you next time. | That’s it for this briefing. See you next time. |
| — Alisha | — Alisha |
| Thank youTo Mark Josephson, Eleanor Stanford and Kenneth R. Rosen for the break from the news. Ian Austen, our Canada correspondent, wrote today’s Back Story. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com. | Thank youTo Mark Josephson, Eleanor Stanford and Kenneth R. Rosen for the break from the news. Ian Austen, our Canada correspondent, wrote today’s Back Story. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com. |
| P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about Representative Rashida Tlaib’s views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. • Here’s our Mini Crossword, and a clue: Format for podcasts (5 letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • The New York Times has 15 bureaus in the U.S. and 31 international bureaus, including in Tehran, Moscow, Beijing, Nairobi and Sydney. | P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about Representative Rashida Tlaib’s views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. • Here’s our Mini Crossword, and a clue: Format for podcasts (5 letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • The New York Times has 15 bureaus in the U.S. and 31 international bureaus, including in Tehran, Moscow, Beijing, Nairobi and Sydney. |